GRANTHAM, Pa. – The No. 8 Messiah field hockey team dropped its first game of the season, a 2-1 decision against visiting No. 5 Salisbury University, at Anderson Field on Saturday afternoon. Leah Bryner provided the Falcons' lone tally, and despite applying offensive pressure throughout the entirety of the game, it was not enough to overcome their early two-goal deficit.

Bryner's goal was her third of the season, now tied for the team-high with Ashlyn Smith. Lauren Seubert assisted the goal, earning her first point of the 2021 season.

The Seagulls got on the board first, converting a penalty corner just under ten minutes into the contest. McKenzie Jamison was the goal scorer for Salisbury, as Emmalee Moore tacked on the visitor's second goal of the game at the 2:42 mark, capitalizing on another penalty corner opportunity.

Trailing, 2-0, Messiah converted a penalty corner of its own in the second quarter with 9:04 remaining in the half. Seubert found Bryner, who chopped a shot into the back of the cage, cutting the Falcons' deficit in half (2-1). The two sides entered halftime with Salisbury leading, 2-1. Both The Falcons and Seagulls each had five penalty corners in the half, with Messiah outshooting its visitors, 8-4. Salisbury's goalkeeper, Dom Farrace, recorded three saves in the half.

The Falcons got off to a fast offensive start in the third quarter, earning two penalty corners within the first five minutes of action. The following ten minutes of gameplay remained scoreless as the Seagulls entered the fourth quarter with a one-goal edge.

Messiah fought hard in the fourth quarter in search of the equalizing goal. Like the third period of play, Messiah had two penalty corner opportunities in the opening five minutes, but the Salisbury defense held strong. The Falcons did well to maintain possession and keep the pressure on the Seagulls' defense. Despite the relentless offensive pressure, the Falcons could not find the equalizer, ultimately falling to a narrow margin of 2-1.

Salisbury's defense was put to the ultimate test in the final two minutes of action, as Isabel Larrabee and Mack Dinopolous each were dealt yellow cards. Farrace ended the game with four saves as Messiah outshot Salisbury 13-5. Messiah goalkeeper Catie Brubaker was not called to action often, but made a tremendous right-footed save during the fourth quarter to keep the margin thin.  

What's Up Next
With the result, Messiah falls to 3-1 on the season. The Falcons will be back in action on Wednesday, Sept. 15, when they travel to Juniata College for a 7:00 p.m. start time.